Feeding mechanism for machines for cutting and creasing blanks.



J. E. ERICKSON. FEEDING MEGHANISM POB MACHINES FOB CUTTING AND GBEASING BLAHKB.

APPLICATION FILED IAYL 1911. 1,023,558* Panama Apr. 16, 1912.

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J. E. ERIGKSUN.

PENDING MBGHANISM Fo MAGHINBS PoR CUTTING AND GBBASING BLANES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY, 1911.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

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J. E. ERICKSON.

FEBDING MEGHANISM FOR MACHINES POB. CUTTING AND GREASING BLANKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1911 Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

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J. E. ERICKSON. FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MACHINES FOB. CUTTING AND CREASNG BLANKS. APPLIGATION FILED MAY 4, 1911` 1,023,558, Y Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

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J. E. ERICKSUN. PBEDING MBCHANISM Foa MAGHXNES FOR CUTTING AND GRBASING BLANKS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY, 1911.

Patented Apr, 16, 1912.

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JOI-IN E. ERICKSON. OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MACHINES FOR CUTTING AND CREASING BLANKS.

Original application filed January 10, 1911, Serial No. 601,772.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

Divided and this appiication led May 4,

Serial No. 625,074.

T0 all whom it may 'concern Be it known that I. JOHN E. ERICKSON. a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Feeding Mechanism for Machines for Cutting and Creasing Blanks. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in feeding mechanism for machines for operating upon blanks of fiber board to be used for making boxes, and more especially upon such blanks of a peculiarly thick and heavy nature where it is desired to make unusually strong and heavy boxes.

My object is to provide a machine of improved and particularly simple construction for making the desired cuts in the edges and from the corners of the blanks. which will crease the same both longitudinally and transversely in proper relation to the cuts. which will automatically feed the blanks to the different positions for the successive operations thereupon with absolute accuracy. thereafter delivering the blanks from the machine. which is rapid in operation and easy and certain of control.

Further objects and advantages of my improvements will appear in connection with the detailed description thereof and are particularly pointed ont in the claims.

In the drawings. illustrating one form of my invention-Figure l is a plan of the entire machine. Figs. l". lb. 1C. ld. le are views of the blank. showing the conditions thereof at different stages of its progress through the machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the entire machine. Fig. 3 is a section ou line 3 3 of Fig. l. Figs. 4. 5 and 6 are detail elevation views of the conveying mechanisni. part of the operating drum being shown in broken sections. Figs. 7. S. 9. l0 and ll are views of details of the conveying mechanism. Fig. l2 is a section on line 1?-12 of Fig. 5. Fig. lisa section online lB--lB of Fig. 6. Fig. i4 is a side view of the blank removing mechanism in position for receiving the sheet. Fig. l5 is a section on line lf l5 of Fig. i4. Fig. 16 iS a sectional fletail of the connections to the driving drum. Fig. 1T is a section on line 17M 17 of Fig. l-l. showing an end elevation of the blank removing finger. Fig. 1S is an end view ol the blank removing mechanism and cooperating stop. Fig. 19 is a detail view of the stop. Fig. 20 is a side view of the blank. Fig. 2l is a view of the tripping device on the blank removing mecha nism when aboutto release the blank. Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation of part of the machine showing the means for operating the blank feeding and withdrawing means.

The blanks to be operated by my machine may be of any type of pasteboard composition and of any degree of thickness or weight. it being a` special feature of my machine that it, will perform upon such thick and heavy blanks the operations necessary to prepare said heavy blanks for ready folding into the necessary form for producing the heavy boxes which it is desired to make from said blanks. The mechanism required to perform these operations, therefore. must be ot' particularly substantial type and the feeding devices for the blanks of such a` nature as positively to grip and feed the blanks into the successive positions in which the different operations upon said blanks are to be performed. and said feeding means must be adjusted to cooperate with each of said operating devices so as to position the blanks with absolute accuracy for each successive operation. My feeding device is, however. adapted to feed to and withdraw from successive operative positions any sheet-like members upon which a series of operations is to be performed.

The relative position of the blanks as they are fed through thc machine. together with the operations performed upon said blanks. is shown iu relation to Fig. l by the Figs. lal to le. inclusive. of the blanks a. In the position shown in Fig. 1a. the blank is laid upon the receiving platform of the machine.`

designated generally' by reference character A." From this position. the blank is positively fed to its second position, shown in Fig. lh. where the devices for making the narrow V-shaped cuts and the corner cuts b. as shown in Fig. l". operate upon the blanks. and which devices are represented in their entirety by thc reference character 13. The blank is then fed to its third position in the machine where it is operated upon by the mechanism for longitudinally scoring or creasing the blanks. as shown at c in Fig. IC. which longitudinal creasing mechanism is designated in its entirety by thc reference character C. From this position, the blank is positively fed to its fourth position in the machine Where it is operated upon by mechanism for making the transverse creases d, shown in Fig. 1d, and Which transverse creasing mechanism is represented generally by the reference character D. This completes the operation of the machineupon the blanks, but additional means for removing the blanks from their fourth position in the machine and depositing them outside of the machine in the relative position shown in Fig. le are required and provided, and this blank-Withdrawing means is designated in its entirety by reference character E Each of the means 13, C and D successively operates upon the blanks in coperation with the means for feeding the blanks to their successive operative positions.

Transverse I-beams 3 and 4 secured to standards 1 and 2 have positioned thereon longitudinal I-beams 6 and 7 forming a supporting framework for the operating and feeding devices of my machine. Forwardly extending bars 8 and 9 are secured to the front ends of the longitudinal members 6 and 7, each of these bars 8 and 9 carrying a series of short crossbars 10. To the cross bars 10 are adjustably secured guides 11 and 12. To the crossbars 10 and to` the inner sides of the longitudinal members 6 and 7 are bolted a series of brackets 21. To each set of bracket arms 21, on either side of the machine, are bolted longitudinal guideways 22 provided with interior longitudinal channels, a view of which, showing the cross-sectional form of the guide-Ways 22, is given in Fig. 12. These guide-Ways 22 provide a support for the blanks upon which they are moved to successive operative positions, and also are for the purpose of hous ing and supporting Within the aforesaid channels reciprocatlng feeding devices, of which the forward feeding member thereof is designated 23, and each of the tivo rear members thereof, being identical in form and function, is designated by the reference character 24. The guide-ways 22 extend back underneath the feeding-platform A, as shown in Fig. 1, and the feeding members 23 cooperate to feed the blanks from their position on said platform to the second position to be operated upon by the devices B, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, stops 25, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, being provided against which the operator places the blanks to position them for engagement with the feeding means. The feeding devices 23 and 24 are connected to move in unison by links 26, movement of one member thereby cansing movement of each of the other feedingr members. Each of the feeding members 23 comprises a hook member 27 of peculiar Shape, the member 24 having hook members 28 of different shape and differently disposed in the feeding means 24 from the disposition of the hook members 27 in the feeding means 23, and this difference in form and disposition of the respective hook members of the different parts is all that distinguishes the front feeding means 23 from the rear sets of feeding means 24. The hook members 27 are disposed in the forward portion of the feeding device and have a hook 29, a top cam-face 30, a rear cam-face 31 and a central cam-opening 32, all designed to cooperate in a manner and for a purpose to be described. The hook members 28 each have a hook 33, pointing in the same direction as the hook 29 but oppositely with respect to the body of the hook member 28. The hook members 28 are also provided with a top cam-portion 34 and a central camopening 35. Each of the feeding devices consists primarily of a plate 36, having thereon a longitudinal raised member 37, as clearly shown in Figs 7 and 11, and these plates 36 are connected together by the links 26, before mentioned, and slide directly in the guide-Ways 22. In conjunction with the plates 36, and adapted to have a limited movement therealong, are members 38, having thereon longitudinal slots 39, in which the members 37 register when the plates are assembled, and since the members 37 are shorter than the slots 39 the members 38 may slide along the members 36 to a limited extent. Bolted to each of the raised portions 37 of the plates 36 are bracket pieces 40, as shown in detail in Fig. 9, the said bracket portion 40 being off-set at 41, as shown in Fig. 11, a front bolt 42 thereof operating as a pivot upon which the hook members 27 or 28 are adapted to rock. In the forward portion of the member 40 is a slot 42 equal in length to the difference in length of the raised members 37 on the plates 36 and the slots 39 in the plates 38. Through these slots 42` extend studs 43 hav ing thereon anti-friction rollers 44, as shown in detail in Fig. 10, and these rollers 44 are adapted to cooperate with the cam-faces in the openings 32 or 35 of the front and rear hook members, respectively, for the purpose of raising and lowering the hook members 27-28 in the manner hereinafter described.

To a transverse shaft 45, held in a bearing '1l-6 and having thereon a gear 47 in operative connection with driving mechanism at the left hand side of the machine, said shaft 45 passing through and beyond a bearingr in the longitudinal members 6 and 7, as shown in Fig. 1, are secured drums 49, about which is coiled a pair of driving ropes 50`5l. The driving rope 50 passes through un opening 52 in a spiral casting on one of the spokes of the drum, being removably secured therein by the nut the other end of said driving rope 50 being attached to a member 54 bolted to plate 38 of the middle through either of the driving eordh4 ,B0-5t will be uniformly transmitted to eaeh ot the platen 13H. and movement' to the feeding members :is a whole. and nioie espeeially the hook memberV iT- -AQS thereof., must, be et l'eeted through the plates` 3%. Shire. therefore. the platee 2lb are eonneeted with the plates 30 by 111 ane ot' the projeetions 3T iii the slot; li and the eorering plattA l0, sind Sinee Said projeetions il? are Shorter than the Slots B0. iat-h of the plates P18, and the frietioii rollers ll -arried thereby. during the tiret'` period ot ite movement` in :i longitudinal direetion.y will hare a movement independent ot the platee ltl. the etleet of which will be to eaiue the etud lll to operate through the lot l2 in the iiieiiiber 'l0. on the fam-.faerie o't` the opening 252 in the hook members 2T-29, to e: use Said hook nieiii bers to rige :ibore the top ot the longitui'linal guide members. im the plates ilo start to more in the direetioii ot' feeding through the nuieliine. :ind eaiiee the hooks to tall or recede below the top or leediiig plate ot the guide-ways when the motion begins in the reverse ilireetion. as will he elezirly iiiiderstood from :in iiiepeetion of the Fig. l to lil. inelueire. Sini-e the drums 49 are oueillated on the ulint't lio. it, follow# that the feeding inemlfiere` 233- Will be reeiproented and the hook meniber Qi--QS raised or loirered at the beginningI ot eueh ieeiproeiition neeordiiig to whether the sinne is iii a for irai-d or a baekirard direction. To insure bringing the hoolte into a raised position before the feeding` operation begins, the plate :EH of the forward feeding member Q3 has :it the 'liront end thereof :i depending projet-tion :3S :idapted to eopeute with ii Stop 5u :idjuetiibly iittaehed by the bolt G0 through the Slot' 01 therein to the end ot' the guideiray 22. When.` therefore. the platee 38 ire brought to the` end of their movement liy the Cords .31, they come sharply in eont'iiet through the member-5 58 with the stop .30 bringing them quickly eta.- tionary. and the plates 3V eonneeted by the link Qt and bearing the hook nienilierf-i T-QS continue. by reason ot' the uioi'uentiiin acquired troni the stroke ot the. return re eiproeatiou. Yl'or tonie distanee. irhieli muy be :is tar the slot will permit'. thus :iiiieing they roller it to engage the upper e:inifaee oi the openings llwn'i and thereby bring the hook4 into praetienlly their rnieed position. On the forward reci pre-cation ot the feeding ineens, eiieh Of the three pairs Of hookewill grip :i` blank and feed the Same torirard to the next uiieeessive position for operation thereupon. the tiret set of hooks vfeeding to position Where the eutiting ineehziniem l operates` thereupon the fleeond ,Qet ol booke 'Feeding' he blank to poeition fl where the longitudinal creasing deviees (l operate thereupon, and the third set of hooks feeding to position t. where the tinal operi;- tion of transrer-wly ereauing the blank io performed by ineehaursui l). From this fourth position the blanks are removed trom the nuiehine by nieehaniuin subseipient'ly to be deseribed. For Steadyiug the Center ot the blanke :ibi they are ted through the mii ehiiie. :i bar (il is low-ely mounted on sup porte [Sil provided for that purpose.

1t ie to be understood that' the two guidei'aye 2Q attiiehed to the longitudinal traine members tt :ind T., respeetively. :iltlioiigh exnetly alike and houeing identical feeding derieeev operated Simultaneously by the iueane` above i'leueribed. :ire wholly independent of one another :ind :ire relativehY adjust able to riiry the dietanee between the saine for feeding blanks et dittereiit widths. Thin :id iuetinent is provided Jfor by making the traine pieee T and the part A earried thereby bodily ailyjuutable ou the (Toos pit-ees 2l and fl. being etl'eeted by eliiittuy lil trims yereely threaded in froid triime pieee T ind a l'iiueket ll thereon. said sei'ew-tliriiideil shafts being operated by means ot' a Shaft 15 Seenred to the traine member (l .find eonneeted by bevel gearing 'lo with said transrerre Shafts. and with ii vertieiil uluitt ti' which through bevel gearing 1S operates the upper ot' said eereir-threailed Shafts 123. au Shown in Fig. 22. The `"hatt 15 is adapted to he operated by :i moriible hand eraiik to be applied to :i y#hoi-ti rertieal Shiitt 10. eonneeted by bevel gearing :l0 to the shaft 13.

The means tor withdrawing the blanke` :ifter the lziSt oi'ieration thereon. gener: lly designated by E. eonipi'ieee a guide-why 04 of Substantially the Sinne 'forni as the guideiray for the blank feeding nieane. the giiideu'ay (il heilig held in a position :ibfrre the other nieelniiiisni of the maehine bj nieiiiis ot' briirkets attached to the il'rnine member (i on the operating side of the nui chine. irliieh braeleti may extend reni'- irrirdly above the rear end of Suid guideiray tit-'l and eoniieet thereto by means of hangers 05. aS Shown in Figs. 1l :ind 1T, or said hangers iiiny extend directly troni the traine of the building in irhieh the niaehine positioned. lilounted within the guideiyay ttl, So as to havey a morenient therealong is a phite (l0. Rolled to said pliite 00 is .fin extenoion 0T haring :i eap 0d, said extension 07 extending through :i slot 00 in a eeeond plate T0. yl"he slot 00 iS longer than the extension 0T so the second plate 7() will have a limited movement on the plate Gti. The plate T0 is eonnevted by links T1 to a trent operating mvmher T2 mounted to slide in thv guidvwav G-t. Upon the front vnd otI the plattl T0 is liolted a hasp 73 through whivh passes a vonnevtion 711- to an operating drum T5. said eonnevtion lieing provided with a spring TG t'or taking up shook. (0)11 the iuvnilivr T2 is a projevtion TT througl whivh a vord or tlvxililv vonnvvtion Th passes. said tlvxilile eonneetion living 'fastened at one end` as indivatvd at TS1. to the drum To. thv other end of said ilexilile mvndivr Td passing through the inemlivr TT and being fastened to a headed derive St). a spring S1 lietween said hvad and the nivmlier 'TT operating to take up ,shot-k in the movements ot' the parts. VIt will thus lie sven that any movement vommunivatvd to the plate titl from the drum 75 must liv, transmitted through the plate TO mounted thereupon. llolted to the plate 00. is a depending hanger d'2 whivh hanger is vonneetvd. liv a liravv Nil to the plate titi liv a liolt 04, whit-h passes through the lirave 83. the holding lnvnilivr 0S. thv raised extension 15T and into thv plate 00. as clearly shown in Fig. 15. Upon the lower end ot the plate H2 is; bolted a menilier having two torwardlv projet-ting portions 06 Si", the hottoni portion ot the plate S2 living provided with similar forwardly projevting portions. livoted livtwvvn the members` S0 is a dog Slt] having a vani-extension 01 extending rearwardl)` from the pivot 92. Between the memliers ST is another dog 0S having a lower vin-vvd surtaev adapted to cooperate with thv luiiwardttv eurvvd surface of the dog 00 to torni a gripping means tor thv lilanks. thv dog 9? living held in its outward position liv a spring 04. Vlvtween the menilivrs and at thv lowvr vnd thereof` is lioltvd a guide-pieve as indivated at 95. another guide-pieve 90 ot elongated shape living lioltvd livtwvvn said mvlnhvrs S5 and EL at 0T. llpon the plate H2 is mounted another plate 0S having therein a slot'` 99 longer than mvmlivr 00 whivh en'iliravvs said meinlivr 00 so that the plate 0S will have a limited sliding movement up and down on the plate S2. a downward extension Sis of said plate 0S living adapted to Cooperate with the guiding-pieve 05 and thv vanilnvnilivr 91 on thv dog 10 to swing snvh dogl on its pivot 02 when thv plate 9S is lowered and valise the flog to rise into operative position tor gripping a lilank. as shown in Fig. 20.

To operate the vani plate 9S in the depending mvnilivr H2 a vani finger V100 is provided. said vain linger living pivoted at 101 to thv plate 70. As shown, the vani finger 100 has a pointed end 102 and a depending portion 1021, liaek ot whivh is a hollowed ont portion 101. these eharaeteristies of the Cam finger being for purposes to be hereinafter deserilivd. Upon the upper vnd of the depending member S2 is pivoted b v means of a svt svrew 105 a cam lug 10G, whieh ma;Y he adjusted liv means ot' an adjusting svrew 10T. this vain lug living in'in'iediatelv aliove the longitudinal line of movement of the point 102 of the eani finger 101). livoted to thv vani plate 0S at. 10S. said pivot 108 lieing directlyY lielow the eam lng' i013, in an operating and looking member 109, whieh is normallyY held iu a substantially vertical position against a lng 110 on an arm 111 pivotvd at 112 to the vani plate` 98, liv means of a spring 113 attavhvd to the loeking memlivr 109 at 11-1 and vonneeted with the plate its h v means ot a spring holding derive 115.` as vlvarlv shown in Figs. 20 and Q1. said mvnilivr 111 living further svvurvd to the vani. plate 9S, to have a limited movement thereon about the pivot 112. liv means of a holt 111' passing through a slot` 11T in .said nivnilivr 111 to whivh holt the spring holding mvmlivr 115 is direvtlv attaehvd` the arm 111 living provided with a short offset arm 11S to vot'ipvrate with a tiXvd vani 110 and throw thv mvmlivr 10) into non-looking position and positively1 move the vain plate 0S on thv depending menilier Si?, as will now liv explained.

Vv'hen the drum T5 is rotated in a rearwardl),Y dirvi-tion` through the flexible vonnvvtion TS. the forward plate 7'2 and links T1.y thv plate is moved rearwardly. suvh mot ion living upon the plate 00, h v reason ot' thv tavt that thv slot (19 is longer than the extension 07 on the plate 00 registering in said slot. This morena-int of the plate 70 0n the plate (itl will oarrythe vain tingvr100rearward. thv point 102 thereof first entering liet wvvn the vani lug 10o and` the lug 120 on the end ot' the looking and operating memlier 10S). further movement ot' the vani Finger rearwardly against the fixed vain lug 100 on one sdv and the vani lng 120 ou the member 10) on thv other side of said eam tingen will vause thv same to torce the locking and operating memlier 100 downward and with it the vani plate 9H. until the plate 70 reaches the limit o1 thvmovvment on the plate 0G permitted h vthvslottlhwhen the dependingportion 10B ot the vain finger 100 will oeoupy the position shown in Fig. Q0, in whivh. by means ot said vain finger and the looking men'ilier 109 the vain plate 9S is looked in its lowered position. downward movement thereof havingvausvd the earn extension S8 thereon to engage the vani extension 91 on the gripping iinger 90 thereby causing said gripliing linger to swing upwardly into cooperative vngagen'ient with the lilank (c hetween said gripping linger 90 and the gripping finger 95%. The lilank is thus gripped and held lietwevn the fingers 90 and 93, any7 movement or toreo tending to withdraw the blank therefrom operating to cause the gripping fingers to hold vet more tightly by reason of the rolling contact of the gripping surface of the finger permitted by the spring 94. Further movement rearward of the plate Will nowv be transmitted to the plate 66, which will carry the depending member 82 and the blank (t gripped thereby rearwardly until the blank is removed from the machine. The fixed cam 119 may be placed on the gnidervay ti-lat such a` point as will be most convenient for the depositing of the Withdrawn blanks. Then the short arm or lug 11S on the arm 111 first comes in contact with the cam 119, the arm 111 Will be swung forwardly on the pivot 112 and through thc block or extension 110 push or trip the 'lug 120 on the locking member 109 from beneath the extension 103 of the cam finger 100, the said lug 120 riding into the cutaway portion 104 of the cam finger 100, while the lug or arm 118 will ride up on the cam 11!) thus positively raising the cam plate 98 and withdrawing the depending portion 1.00 thereof from coiiperation with the gripping finger Elf), thus permitting said finger to drop and release the blank. The spring 121, attached to the cam plate` 98 at 122 and to a spring holding member 123 fast to the depending member 82 and extending through a slot 124 in said cam plate 98, operates to complete the upward movement of the cam plate and restore the same to inoperative position, in which it is normally held by said spring 121. Upon reverse movement being communicated to the plate 70 from the drum 75, said plate 70 will first be lnoved on the, plate titi, thereby Withdrawing the cam finger 100 from contact With the lug 120 on the locking member 109, Whereupon the spring 113 Will restore said locking member to its normal position, the leaf spring 125 upon the cam finger 100 operating to resiliently hold said cam finger 1n proper position for the neXt succeeding operation of the withdrawing devices. A brake 126 consisting of a leaf spring attached to the plate G6 over the depending member 82 and extending through a slot 127 in said plate GG so as to bear against the wall of the guideway 64, is provided to retard movement of the plate fifi so as certainly to permit the limited movement ofthe plate 70 upon the plate 66 necessary to effect the proper operation of the gripping finge-rs through the cam finger 100. Upon the return stroke of the blank removing device the same will bc brought in Contact' with a V- shaped stop 128 carried by an arm 129 bolted to one of the frame castings as clearly shown in Figs. 18 and 19, said stop coperating with a member 130 of similar shape carried by the depending member 82 in the proper position to register with said stop 128, the purpose of this device being accurately to position and steady the depending members and the jaw or gripping fingers carried thereby for the reception of the edge of the blank as it is fed into its last operative posi'- tion.

The machine is driven from the main driving pulley 131 by a belt 132 connected with any suitable source of power. The pulley 131 is carried by a sleeve 133 which rotates on a stub shaft 134, said sleeve cari ying a pinion 135. The pinion 135 meshes with a gear 136 on a sleeve 137 loose on a shaft 138 extending across the machine and connected by suitable gearing with shafts 139 for actuating the different devices A, B and C for operating on the blanks. The sleeve 137 carries a pinion 140 which meshes With a gear 141 on a sleeve 142 loose on a stub shaft 143. The sleeves 137 and 142 are thus constantly rotated, the sleeve 137 being adapted by clutching mechanism, not shown, operable through link 144 and hand lever 145, to be connected to shaft 138, to drive devices A, B and C, and the sleeve 142 being adapted by clutching mechanism, not shown, operable through link 146 and foot lever 147 to be connected to a short shaft 148 carrying a crank-wheel 14S) for operating a rocking member 150 pivoted at 151 to a bracket 152 bolted on the frame of the machine.

The rocking mcmber150, which is best shown in Fig. 22, is for the purpose of operating the blank feeding and blank Withdrawing means in timed relation. One arm 153 of said rocking member is provided With a longitudinal slot 154, and engaging said slot and adapted to slide therein is a piece 155 which is pivoted to a crank pin 15G of the crank Wheel 149 before considered. iifhcn, therefore, the crank wheel 149 is rotated the piece 155 will. ride back and forth in the slot 154 and the rocking member 150 will be rocked backward and forward by said rotating member 149. At right angles to the slot 154 is another slotV 157 in the rocking member 150 the said slot 157 being formed in the arc of the circle Whose center is at the pivot 151 of the rocking member 150. through the slot 157, so that when the rocking member 150 is rocked on its pivot 151 said slot 157 Will be oscillated over the shaft 148. This not only results in a convenient disposition of the shaft 148 but operates to steady the member 150 in its oscillating movements on its pivot 151. Pivoted to the arm 153 at 158 is a depending arm 159 which carries a rack 160. The arm 159 slides on a` raised member 161 on a guide member 162 which is pivoted at 163 to the frame, said arm 159 being additionally guided by plates 164 bolted to the frame and overlapping the rack arm 159, as clearly shown in Fig. 22. The rack bar 159 has a slot in Which the raised member The shaft 148 passesA 161 on the guide arm 162 registers. As the raek 1GO -is oscillated by the rocking member 150 it is thus constantly held in engagement with the pinion L17 on the shaft l5 upon which are mounted the drums E9 for operating the feeding devices. It will thus be seen that for each rotation of the Crank wheel 149 the rocking member will cause the rack 113() to make a complete reeiprocation in each direction thereby rotating the drums 49 backward and forward and effecting a complete feeding movement and return of the feeding devices. The other end of the rocking member 150 has formed directly thereon a segment 165 in an are having a` center at the pivot point 151 and said segment 165 meshes with and drives a gear 166 fast on a shafty 167 mounted in an upright member 1(38 bolted to the longitudinal frame member (l. the member 1138, in addition to furnishing bearings for the shaft 1,67, providing a` mounting for the bracket arms (35 which support a portion of the guideway t-I for the blank withdrawing devices. The shaft 167 carries the drum 75 for actuating the flexible connections 74 and 78 by which the blank removing device is operated. The gear 166 is loose on the shaft 167 and is provided with a clutching member 169 adapted to cooperate with a similar clutch member splined on the shaft 167. These clutch members are held in clutching engagement by means of a nut 170 threaded on the shaft 167. The shafti 167 is provided with a squared end 171 for receiving a removable hand crank. Upon loosening the nut 170 the shaft 167 may, by said crank, be rotated independently of the gear 16V, the purpose being to adjust the position of the blank removing device on the guideway 67 to adapt the same for removing blanks of different sizes, the stop 119 being correspondingly adjusted on said guideway.

In the operation of my complete machine, supposing a blank to be in each of the three operative positions of the machine, the operator standing atj the front end thereof will llace a blank upon the feeding platform A in Contact with the positioning stops Q5. The operator then presses down on the footlever 147, which clutches the sleeve 142 to the shaft 148, thereby rotating the. crank 149. rIhe crank 149 oscillates the rocking member 150, which simultaneously oscillates the drums 49 for actuating the feeding devices and the drum '75 for actuating the blank removing devices. so that simultaneously the blank in the third operative position is removed from the machine, the blank in the second operative position transferred to the third operative position, the blank in the first operative position to the second operative position, and the blank on the feeding platform to the first operative position. When the positioning of the blanks as above indicated has been completed the sleeve 137 will be clutched to the shaft 138 to actuatc the series of devices for perfclrming the desired sets of operations upon the blanks. which sequence ot' operations may be repgated to any extent required.

I claim:

1. [n a machine for operating upon blanks, guideways upon which the blanks are moved to successive operative positions. said guideivays being formed with interior, longitudinally-extendtui channels, and means housed and having independent movement in said channels for feeding a blank successively and intermittently to each of said operative positions, said means comprising hooks mo "able outside of said channels and gnideways. f

In a machine for operating upon blanks, guideways upon which the blanks are moved to successive operative positions. said guide 'ays being formed with interior. longitudinally-extended channels. means housed and having independent movement in said channels for feeding a blank successively and intermittently to each of said operative positions, said means comprising oscillating hooks movable outside of said channels and guideways, and n lans positively to oseillate said hooks.

3. In a machine for operating upon blanks, guideways upon which the blanks are moved to successive operative positions, said guidenlays being formed with interior. longitudinally-extended channels. means housed and having independent movement in said channels for feeding a blank successively and intermittenti;y to each of said operative positions. said m Ians comprising hooks pivoted so as to be movable outside of said channels and guideways. and means positively to rock the hooks to bring the same into operative positions above the guidenuiys at the beginning of each feeding movement of the feeding means.

4. In a machine for operating` upon blanks, guideways upon which the blanks are moved to successive operative positions, said guideways being formed with interior, longitudinally-extended channels. means housed and having independent movement in said channels for feeding a blank snccessively and interi'nittently to each of .said operative positions. said means comprising hooks pivoted so as to be movable outside of said channels and guideivays. means positively to rock the hooks to bring` the same into operative positions above thenguideways at the beginning of each feeding movement of the feeding means, and means positively to lower said hooks below' the guideways at` the beginning of each non-feeding' movement of the feeding means. Y

In a machine for operating upon blanks, guideways upon which. the blanks are moved to successive operative positions, plates ot' each second series, and means on said guideways being tormed with interior, longitudinalinv-extended channels, means housed and having independent reciprocating n'lovement in said channels t'or feeding a blank successively and intermittently to cach ot said operative positions, means to reciprocate the feeding means, means positively to raise the hooks above the guide ways at the beginning ot each forward re ciprocation, and means positivclv to lower the hooks below the guidewavs at the beginning of each backward reciprocation otl the feeding means.

(l. ln a` machine tor operating upon blanks, guidewavs upon which the blanks are moved to successive operative positions, means in said guidewavs for feeding a blank successivelv and intermittently to each of said operative positions, said means comprising hooks, pivots upon which said hooks are mounted, some of said hooks having bodies extending backward from said pivots and other of said hooks having bodies eX- tending forward from said pivots, all of said hook-bodies comprising forwardlyv extending projections for 'feeding engagen'ient with the blanks.

7. ln a machine for operating upon blanks, a` feeding device comprising guide,- ways, plates mounted for movement in said guidewavs, an elongated lug on each of said plates, other plates provided with slots through which said lugs project, said slots being longer than the lugs to permit limited movement oit' the second plates on the first plates, a member secured to each lug to hold the second plate thereon, hooks pivoted bctween the lugs and holding members, a cam slot in each of said hooks, a slot in each of said holding members, and a pin on each otl said second plates projecting through both of said last named slots so that movement ot the second plates on the first plates will cause the pins to engage the cam slots on the hooks to raise and lower the same.

8. In a machine tor operating upon blanks, a feeding device comprising guidewavs, plates mounted in said gnidcwavs, hooks pivoted to said plates, other plates mounted on said first named plates so to have a limited movement` thereupon, and means on said second plates coacting with the hooks whcrelnv movement otE the second plates on the tirst` plates will cause the hooks to rise and tall in timed relation to engage and t'eed the blanks.

El. ln a machine tor operating upon blanks, a feeding device comprising guidewavs, a series ot plates mounted in each ot said guideways. means connecting the plates of each series, hooks pivoted to said plates, another series ot' plates mounted on said first` named plates so as to have a `limited movement thereupon, means connecting the said second plates coacting with the hooks whereby movement ot the second plates on the tirst plates will canse all the hooks to rise and tall in timed relation to engage and feed the blanks.

lll. ln a machine for operating upon blanks, a t'ezeding device comprising guidewavs, plates mounted in said guidewavs, hooks pivoted to said plates, other plates mounted on said first named plates so as to have a limited movement thereupon, means on said second plates coacting with the hooks wherebyv movement of the second platse on the iirst plates will cause the hooks to rise and Ytall in timed relation to engage and teed the blanks, and means to move the second series of plates and through said second series to move the tirst series of plates.

ll, ln a machine 'for operating upon blanks, a feeding device comprising guidewavs, a series ot plates mounted in each of said guidewavs, links connecting the plates of each series so thcv will move in unison, a second series ot' plates mounted on said tirst plates so as to have a` limited movement thereon. links connecting the plates of said second series so they will move in unison, drums for each guide-wav, leXible connections trom each ot said drums to both ends oli the second series ot plates, and means intermittently to rotate said drums alternately in opposite directions to reciprocate said second series of plates on the first series and through said second series of plates to reciprocate the first series.

1Q. ln a machine for operating upon blanks, inteeding device comprising guideways, a .series ot plates mounted in each of said guideways. links connecting the plates ot each series so the \Y will move in unison, a second series otz plates mounted on said first i'ilates so as to have a limited movement thereon, links connecting the plates ot' said Second series so the)Y will move in unison, drums t'or each guidewav, flexible connections trom each ot said drums to both ends of the second series ot plates, and means intermittentliv to rotate said drums alternately in opposite directions to reciprocate said second series of plates on the first series and through said second series ot plates to reciprocate the til-sty series, hooks pivoted on each plate of said first series, and connections between the plates of the second series and the hooks whereby the movement ot' the second series of plates on the first series in ene direction will positivelyY raise all the hooks above the gnidewarvs and movement of the second series ot plates on the first series in the opposite direction will positively lower all the hooks below the guideways.

13. lu a machine tor operating upon blanks, means for intermittently lfeeding the blanks to successive positions to be operated upon, independent means for gripping and positively removing the blanks from the machine singly and sueeessively a't'ter operation in the last position, means for operating the feeding means, means tor operating the removing means, and a single roeking member for ol'iei'atiiig both said operating means.

ll. ln a machine for operating upon blanks. means for intermittently feeding the blanks to sneeessive positions to be operated upon` means t'or removingI the blanks from the machine after operation in the last position, drums for operating the feeding means, a drum for operating the removing means, and a rocking member i'or intermittently rotating both sets ot drums in opposite diret'- tions.

l. ln a machine tor operating upon blanks, means tor intermittently feeding the blanks to sueeessive positions to be operated upon. means lor removing the blanks from th'e maehine at'ter operation in the last p0- sition, drums t'or operating the feeding means, a drum tor operating the removing means. a gear on eaeh otl said sets ot drums` a rocking member, a segment tast on said rocking member meshing with one ot' said gears. a raek bar pivoted to said rocking member and having a raek meshing with the other gear, and means intermittently to roe-k the roeking member.

lt. In a machine for operating upon blanks, feeding means for said blanks comprising gnideways, plates in said guideways, other plates mounted on the tirst plates vto have a limited relative movement therewith. means to reciprocate the seeond plates and through them the tirst plates, hooks Carried by the first plates, means on the seeond plates to raise and lower the hooks through relative movement oil' the set-,ond plates with respeet to the first plates. stops on eatrh ol the gnideways, stops on the seeond plates eo noting with the stops on the guident-.lys at the end ot' a complete reeiproeation oli' the seeond plates .so that the same are instantly rendered stationary and the first plates are permittetil to move relatively to the seeoml plates by reason ot' the momentum ot said tirst plates and thereby cause the hooks to be raised.

i7. ln a maehine for operating upon blanks, blauk-renniving moans t-omlgirising a gnideway, a member movable in said guide my, means earried by said member positively to grip they blanks, and means mounted on said member to have a limited movement thereon and to move the movable nient4 ber along the guide Yay` said liu'iited moven'ient ot the means on the movable member operating to eause the gripping means to grip the blanks.

18. In a machine for operating upon blanks. blanleremoving means eomprising a gnitleivay, a plate mounted tor movement in said guideway, gripping means carried by said plate, an elongated lug or extension on said plate. a second plate having a slot longer than the lng, said lug registering in the slot so that the second plate is mounted on the tirst plate to have a limited movement thereon. means to move the second plate and thereby to move the tint plate, and means carried by the second plate whereby moyementbf the same on the iirst plate will eause the gripping means positivelyr to grip the blank.

i9. In a machine for operating upon blanks, blank removing means comprising a guideway, a plate mounted tor movementrin `said gniden'ay. a seeond plate mounted on said itirst plate te have a liinite'l movement thereon, a depending member earried by the tirst plate` tingers or dogs piroted on said depem'ling members, means movable on the depending member to move one dog relatively to the other to eauso the dogs to grip a blank, and means on said seeond plate whereby movement of the second plate on the tirst plate will operate the dog-operating member.

Q0. ln a machine t'or operating upon blanks, blank ren'ioving means eomprising a guideway, a plate mounted for movement in said gniden'ay, a seeond plate mounted on said firsty plate to have, a limited movement thereon, a tlttpending member carried by the tirs-t plate. lingers or dogs pivoted on'l said depending member. means movable on the depending member to move one dog relatively to 'the other to Cause the dogs to grip a blank. means on said seeond plate wherelw movement ol1 the seeond plate on the tirst plate will operate the dogoperating meniber. a spring normally to hold the dog-operating means in inoperative position, means earried by said dog-operating means to leek the same in its operative position after movement ot said means on the depending member has eaused the dogs to grip a blank, until said blank is removed trom they maehine, and m xaus on the guideway eoiperating with said looking means at the end ot the movement ol the blank withdrawing means to positively return the dogoperating means to inoperative position and release the blank.

2l. ln a maehine for operating upon blanks. a pair of guideivays eaeh eonneeted with ['rame members ol the maehine and loeing relatively adjustable tl'ierewith upon whirh the blanks are moved to sneeessive operative positions, and means working in said gnideways for feeding a blank sneeessively and interu'iittently to eaeh ot' said operative positions.

ln a machine tor operating upon blanks, a pair of guideways each connected with frame members of the machine and which the blanks are moved to successive operative positions, means working in said guideway for feeding a blank successively and intermittently to each of said operative positions, and independent. means for positively ren'loving each blank from its last operative position on said guideway and carrying the same outside of the machine.

:22%. In a machine t'or operating upon blanks, integral guideways upon which a series of blanks are cach moved to successive operative positions, said guideways being tended channels, and means housed and working intermittei'itlyv in said channels for positively moving the blanks of said series independently and sin'mltaneonsly to each of said operative positions.

24. In a machine for operating upon blanks, a blank withdrawing device comprising a. trackway and depending member supported therefrom, means to reciprocate said device, cooperating fingers or dogs on said member, means to cause the fingers to grip a blank at the beginning of the blankwithdrawing movement, means to cause the fingers to release the blank at the end of said movement, and a stop on the machine for positioning the member and the gripping fingers to receive another blank at the end of the return movement of the withdrawing device.

25. In a machine for operating upon blanks, a blank withdrawing device, gripping fingers on said device, a movable member for operating said fingers, a movable cam-finger for operating said member, a catch on said movable member with which the cam-finger cooperates to move the member and lock it in operative position, a trip coperating with said catch normally to hold it in locking position, and means to operate the trip firstl to move the catch into non-locking position and then positively to l restore the movable member to inoperative being relatively adjustable therewith upon 1 position.

Q6. In a machine for operating upon blanks, a blank withdrawing device comprising an arm, gripping ngers mounted` on said arm, a cam-plate movable on the device to operate the fingers and canse them to grip a. blank, a locking catcli pivoted to said cam-plate, a trip on said cam-plate cooperatii'ig with said catch.a spring normally to hold the catch against the trip, a cam-lug adjustably mounted on the arm in spaced rel,lation to the catch, a movable cam-finger, i and means to move said finger between the formed with interior, longitudmally-excam-lug and the catch and thereby ca use the cam-plate to operate the gripping fingers.

27. In a machine `for operating upon blanks, a blank withdrawing device comprising an arm, gripping fingers mounted on said arm, a cam-plate movable on the device to operate the fingers and canse them to grip a blank, a locking catch pivoted to said cam-plate, a trip on said cani-plate cooperating with said catch, a spring normally to hold the catch against the trip, a camlug adjustably mounted on the arm in spaced relation to the catch, a. movable camfinger, means to move said finger' between the cam-lug and the catch and thereby cause the cam-plate to operate the gripping fingers, an arm on the trip, and a fixed cam with which said arm is adapted to coperate, whereby movement of the withdrawing device .will cause the fixed cam to operate the trip, first to throw the locking catch from beneath the cam finger and` then positively to restore the cam-plate to inoperative position and release the blank from the gripping fingers.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of' two witnesses.

JCI-IN E. ERICKSON.

lVitnesses:

H. A. BowMAN, F. A. VHITELEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

